Detroit Lions happy to see D’Andre Swift back and providing ‘another spark’

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Everyone was happy to see Detroit Lions running back D’Andre Swift return to the field in Sunday’s 31-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

The rookie wasn’t quite as effective as he was in his last game. But that he got to play in his first game in nearly a month after suffering concussion-like symptoms was good news.

“It’s great to have D’Andre back out there,” interim head coach Darrell Bevell said. “I think he brings a boost to our offense, both in the run game and the passing game, and we will continue to be able to get him more involved as the weeks go on.”

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Swift last played Nov. 15 against Washington, when he had his best game of the season and tallied 149 yards from scrimmage. He reported a brain injury after practice days later, and sat out losses to the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans while in concussion protocol.

“Yeah, D’Andre’s a guy that we love having him in the huddle,” tight end T.J. Hockenson said. “Him and (Adrian Peterson) and Kerryon (Johnson), all those guys are guys that you just look at in the huddle and you know that we can spring a big play at any moment.

“D’Andre especially is a guy that is very shifty, downhill runner, makes guys miss. Just having him back is just another weapon, another thing that we can (put in) place and we’re excited about him.”

Peterson started the game. But he quickly yielded to Swift, who wasn’t quite as dynamic as he was against Washington but was still effective. He had seven carries for 24 yards and a touchdown, and caught four passes for 26 yards.

His speed and playmaking capability was still evident and added a dimension to the Lions’ offense.

“It’s amazing to see him out there,” receiver Marvin Jones said. “When he’s out there we all have that confidence that anything can happened and we’re going to roll. So it was good to have him out there and good to have him out in practice and stuff like that. He’s another spark that’s added to our offense. So yeah, solid.”

Hockenson had his own injury issues last year as a promising high draft pick and offered some advice to Swift.

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“Rookie year is a tough year for anyone,” he said. “They go through a lot. They’re working all year long, and then to go from a college schedule that’s 12 games to an NFL that’s 16 is even harder. So just trying to stay in it and continue to work on your body, continue to just stay mentally strong and try to make every day count.

“He’s a great kid, someone that’s going to be a great player. I think he knows that and he’s just going to continue to work and get better each day. I think we’re looking forward to that.”

Contact Carlos Monarrez at cmonarrez@freepress.com and follow him on Twitter @cmonarrez.

This article was originally published by Freep.com. Read the original article here.